November 19, 2008
Posted: 05:16 PM ET

From

(CNN) – President-elect Barack Obama formally announced the additions of key White House staff members on Wednesday, including the previously expected choice of David Axelrod as Senior Advisor to the President

"I am pleased to announce these new additions to our team, and I'll be relying on their broad and diverse experience in the months ahead as we work to strengthen our economy, reform Washington, and meet the great challenges of our time,"  Obama said.

Axelrod has been a fixture by Obama’s side for years, serving as the chief strategist for Obama’s campaign and as a top adviser during his run for the Senate in 2004.

Obama also announced Greg Craig as White House Counsel, Lisa Brown as Staff Secretary and Chris Lu as Cabinet Secretary.

Filed under: Barack Obama


Hirna   November 19th, 2008 11:03 pm ET

Change is not something we expect overnight. what Bush did for the last 8 years needs more than one term to be fixed .

so let's wait and count on this people. I'm sure Mr. President elect and his team will come up with a lot positives.

Simmy   November 19th, 2008 10:25 pm ET

I am still pleased with ALL of the selections!

If Hillary goes down, it's ok, because God is with our President, and He will guide him! It doesn't matter what the critics say. Speaking of critics, I am observing that President Obama has higher standards set for him, standards that have nothing to do with his message of change, although that is the premise that the naysayers use.

Let me try this for the third time: CHANGE, real CHANGE has nothing to do with the newness of names and faces. It's about a difference of approach to governing. It has to do with realigning programs by eliminating those that don't work, and strengthening those that do.
I was listening to the President-Elect's speeches; apparently a lot of people weren't.

Sabreen60   November 19th, 2008 10:18 pm ET

I suppose some of you think that President-Elect Obama should fill all his Cabinet positions with rookies. Obviously those who believe this have never run a company. I guess you want an inexperience recent college grad to run our Department of Defense. Wow!! You folks need to grow up, study government and learn that the President calls the shots. However, he cannot be in all places at once. He needs people who know what the heck they are doing. That means picking some people from the Clinton administration – the last Democratic administration. Or perhaps you would rather he choose experienced Bush officials.

c7ringo   November 19th, 2008 10:12 pm ET

Oviously he's going to need experienced people who have operated at that level of government before. There will invariably be some familiar faces. But I've always wanted to see (in your country and here in Canada) some people elected or appointed who are real successes in real fields. Someone for whom public service is actually a sacrifice. Find people who have risen to the top in a field like engineering or medicine and ask them to serve their country for a time (for top-tier people in such fields they'd be taking a pay cut) before returning to whatever they chose as a career. If you look at the sort of disasters FEMA responds to, wouldn't you like to see a successful engineer calling the shots there? Obviously it would have to be someone who's got the necessary administrative skills.

When I hear "of the people, for the people and by the people" I'm wondering which people? It's always seemed more like "Of these people, for those people, and by the people."

Maybe I'm a bit of an idealist but it seems to me politics has way too many politicians, and most of them are "lawyers" who never practiced a day of law in their lives.

rob   November 19th, 2008 10:01 pm ET

I have heard from friends, in many countries and all without hesitation have called to convey their hope for a better world because of President Elect Barack Obama. America will be loved and respected again by the world.

Go Mr. President…………you are the man.

Steven   November 19th, 2008 9:57 pm ET

@Mike

Yes we need more Clinton style of government to erase the bad memories of the Bush years. We also need to make sure we never let repub/retard like Bush or Palin becomes president .

Pam   November 19th, 2008 9:52 pm ET

President-elect Barack Obama is in charge. He knows what he is doing. He won because of his brillance and dedication to making the USA a better country.
Those who can do–those with nothing going on in their life–can't do. They are just sad and jealous people.
President-elect Obama, we have your back.

Pam

James   November 19th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

Calm down. For those of you saying "Obama lied! No change" blah blah, he hasn't even gotten into office. Give him a chance to get experienced staff together that will make informed decisions about the change you desire.

grace T   November 19th, 2008 9:43 pm ET

I agree with most of the comments about change. Give the man a chance to at least get to the white house first. By the way did any see the news about Al queda? No one is talking about that. They are deffinately running scared of an Obama Presidency. He is not even in the office yet.

mike   November 19th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Wow!!!! Obama staff looks more like Clinton's. Under Clintons ad min my taxes were raised sky high!!!! I guess Obama is not going to change anything a Leftist would do in office. Obama'ss change is an act just like he fooled most of the country. But now its showtime. Obama sure can talk the talk but we will see if he can WALK THE WALK. I pray America made the right choice.

Sarah   November 19th, 2008 8:55 pm ET

More Staff in this economy crisis? For What?

Gina   November 19th, 2008 8:46 pm ET

what to only people with an experience in last 16 years worked for Clinton. Don't want anyone from carter admin.

god bless the US   November 19th, 2008 8:44 pm ET

First of all whats wrong with picking clinton people?

Lets face it, you either have Bush I people who are also bush II people.

You got Reagan folk (old)
Carter Folk (really old)
Nixon Folk (really really old)

At least clinton staff is only 8 years out and anyone else will be 16 years out.

Hire a newbie? like what, a sarah palin?

KLEE   November 19th, 2008 8:40 pm ET

Dear Rick – yep I like my bill of goods – looks a whole bunch better than the the personalities of the past 8 years!

I liked the Clintons, I like Condi, I like people who act intelligent and are hard workers and believe in the betterment of humankind & their environment…I can't help myself to look to decent and positive people – they make me feel better about my life….and that counts for something!!

Hmmm   November 19th, 2008 8:38 pm ET

I wonder if the same people who pointed to Obama's lack of experience during the campaign are the same people complaining about his picking people who have experience If you want to implement change, you need people who know how to get things done.

Regardless of what one might think of Slick Willy and his policies, when he left office there was a budget surplus, the federal government was smaller and more efficient than under either Bush.

Choosing competent people is already a significant change from the last eight years.

SYoung   November 19th, 2008 8:36 pm ET

President Barack Obama-Clinton…what happen to the change that our 1st. mixed-race President (because he isn't black) promised?

mikalxs   November 19th, 2008 8:32 pm ET

Alot of people have labeled this a failed presidency before it has even started.If Obama had selected inexperience Washington outsiders , then the right wing media would say he surrounded hisself with inexperience people such as hisself.Not that he has surrounded himself with former Clinton surrogates it's a problem.But some of these people worked for Clinton and didn't agree with everything he said or did Like : Eric Holder who was a DEPUTY attorney General which means he had know real say so in the pardon.

jaye   November 19th, 2008 8:29 pm ET

David Axelrod is THE MAN!!!
I fully support him!!!

Texas Teacher   November 19th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

All I can say is that President Obama will choose the people he feels are best for the jobs at hand…. and I feel confident that he is qualified to do so!

And if the Republican voices don't like it…… well, TOO BAD FOR YOU! Get over it, you lost! :)

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   November 19th, 2008 8:24 pm ET

ALL YOU JOE THE PLUMBER FREAKS WHO DON'T SEEM TO GET IT:

CHANGE as in POLICY!!!

Whoever doesn't get what Barack is doing didn't get him in the first place.

Anyone posting here complaining about Obama's picks DID NOT VOTE for him. So stop posing. Go post your negative, divisive, inane comments on FOX NOISE. Go to change.gov and research then think before you type for a CHANGE!

aynes54   November 19th, 2008 8:17 pm ET

With all of the clinto crew coming back to town, wonder if Monica is coming too????

StepRN   November 19th, 2008 8:11 pm ET

We trust you Mr. President-elect. Keep moving forward.

agnes   November 19th, 2008 8:07 pm ET

Have you ever noticed that Republicans never appoint Democrats to key government or cabinet posts, yet there is such a clamor for Obama to pick Republicans? Why is that?

Ginny   November 19th, 2008 8:05 pm ET

Why can't they let the man take office before they start complaining? The way some of these Righties talk I wonder why he (Pres. Elect Obama) would even want the job.

If he chose folks you never heard of, then you'd complain about that. Why don't you just crawl under a rock for 4 (or 8) years and let a real President work.

SD,Michigan   November 19th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

David Axelrod is a GENIUS! I have the greatest respect for this kind of "behind the scene", "grey emminence" gurus who can make or break politicians. i respect him even more for going 180 from karl Rove, and employing an absolutely clever and above all, clean campaign. Again, Genius all the way with his message of hope and change and what you're FOR rather than AGAINST…outstanding job!

Janice Illinois   November 19th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

Obama is doing the best that he can. You people act as though there is a wealth of highly intelligent people just waiting to be picked there in Washington, How do you think we got in this shape to start with? Who would you pick? If I were the Republicans I'd send out people to go door to door looking for some politically minded, decent people to run next time, you better get some new faces out there because Palin isn't going to cut it, for sure.

Cynthia - Arkansas   November 19th, 2008 7:53 pm ET

I keep here the talking heads howling, "Where's the change" because Obama is using Clinton people. HELLO, that's a change. Obama will choose the best and brightest, no matter whe they've served with. They are just trying to keep some kind of controversy going. I am so glad that we will actually have intelligent, qualified people running this country. Not horse judges, and anyone else who gave campaign contributions.

AKRON, OHIO OBOMA SUPPORTER   November 19th, 2008 7:52 pm ET

ITS A SHAME SO MANY REPUBLICANS ARE STUPPID WHEN IT COMES TO THE WORD CHANGE. NO WONDER YOUR GUY DIDNT MAKE IT TO THE WHITE HOUSE. OBOMA KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THE WORD CHANGE MEAN AND HES DOING IT.

Mike   November 19th, 2008 7:47 pm ET

You mean to tell us he is going to remind us some more of who was all in the administration for clinton?

Janice Illinois   November 19th, 2008 7:46 pm ET

Axelrod seems to be a genius,here's to hoping he goes far in Washington.

Latina-Indepedent-4-OBAMA   November 19th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

I see the ignorant-far-right doesn't understand what CHANGE means! Let me explain: CHANGE is not getting rid or not using the past or the old, its using everything and everyone that is brilliant and that has value!

What is wrong with including the brilliant people who made the Clinton years a success???

When President-elect OBAMA says CHANGE….. he means the way Washington works! Duh.

CHANGE=

Bush/Cheney & the neo-cons gone
Getting rid of the vast majority of the GOP Congress
Bringing in the brightest and most talented people into the Obama administration!
It means that government will govern, while upholding the Constitution.
It is a NEW way of leading that will help us out of the DISASTER Bush & the Republicans have left behind!

GET IT?

Amonica Edwards   November 19th, 2008 7:37 pm ET

I think Obama is creating a staff that best fits what change is not how we say it. clinton had the best top staff they were even if President Clinton himself was a whatever he was the staff were top picks the best of the best. now people let's get this country out of the mess the republicans put on us. as a fomer Bush voter and republican i want to see a change. Barack Obama is the right guy for this job.

Gigi from NY   November 19th, 2008 7:34 pm ET

President-elect Obama is facing the toughest presidential term in history. What's wrong with choosing experienced people who know their way around? Do you want him to walk in on Jan 20 and then say "Now what?" (like Bill Clinton did)? Or do you want him to hit the ground running? Whomever he chooses, the man is trying to lead by example. He has avoided any funds from lobbyists and PACs. Visit his website. We need to keep an open mind to Obama so that he can make real policy changes in Washington. He forgave Lieberman and so did the politicians in Washington. He does lead by example. And he reached out to McShame, too. I say, wait and see before you judge -the man isn't even in the white house yet. They should change the 12 ammendment and get rid of Bush once and for all!

Joey   November 19th, 2008 7:32 pm ET

Sorry, that was why not

Joey   November 19th, 2008 7:31 pm ET

America was doing well under Bill Clinton. Why use what works, unlike the White House of today.

Jaybee   November 19th, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Of course he's choosing people who know the ropes in Washington. The CHANGE means the DECISIONS Obama makes, NOT whether he picks people who know nothing about the ins and outs of Washington!

Honeybee58   November 19th, 2008 7:26 pm ET

Why doesn't Obama just call everyone from Clinton's staff and get it over with?

John Thomas   November 19th, 2008 7:25 pm ET

I sincerely hope Clinton for SofS is a leak by those that want her as opposed to a serious consideration. It would helpful if someone with legitimate foreign policy experience and original vision – as opposed to yet another narrow-minded pro-Israel line toer (is that a word?) – took over the reins at this extremely important time in world history.

T   November 19th, 2008 7:23 pm ET

I think people need to realize that "change" has a whole lot to do with policy. Is that too hard for complainers to understand?

Don   November 19th, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Just name Hillary Clinton as Sec. of State so we can start working on the mess this country is in…..and for you so-called Obama supporters who are "questioning" his change…change doesn't mean people…but how those people do their jobs. Clinton people were some of the best this country has seen…so I think Obama is being wise. Now lets get Obama and Hillary together and fix this country.

Faith Restored   November 19th, 2008 7:11 pm ET

That's right…keep the team that helped move Barack into the WH among those in the inner sanctum needed to help guide our country out of the abyss. Yay Axelrod!

Love It   November 19th, 2008 7:09 pm ET

Staff and Cabinet Secretary, I like his management style.

Dee   November 19th, 2008 7:08 pm ET

…and Daschle as HHS. Change we can believe in!!!

Alex of NY   November 19th, 2008 7:03 pm ET

perfect!

foreigner in the US   November 19th, 2008 6:46 pm ET

What's with all this Clinton people? Can someone answer me that? Still like Obama though……………

Simon   November 19th, 2008 6:41 pm ET

Looks like he's getting his house in order.

karol   November 19th, 2008 6:36 pm ET

tha's now change. No Karl Rove!

Logic   November 19th, 2008 6:33 pm ET

Nice!!!

What about Plouffe???

Rick   November 19th, 2008 6:32 pm ET

lolol…..Mr. Hope n Change needs to drop the "change" part of his name what with all the Clinton retreads in his administration.

You poor democrats were certainly sold a bill of goods on this one.

Oh well….I gues you can still cling to the "hope" part…..for now.

Zee   November 19th, 2008 6:30 pm ET

Can't wait until inauguration day!!!

WIlly Brown   November 19th, 2008 6:26 pm ET

More left overs? So much for the empty word "Change".

Ryan   November 19th, 2008 6:21 pm ET

Does anyone remember the word Croney?

Tim in Seattle   November 19th, 2008 6:19 pm ET

Cue the Chicken-Little Right wing nutjobs in 3…..2…..1…..

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